Interstate Design Landscaping is going to the Farm Show Complex We will be located in the "Pennsy Supply" Booth for both shows which is located near the food and restrooms! 2010 Garden Expo   Friday  2/26/10  ~  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m    Saturday  2/27/10  ~ 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 2010 Pennsylvania Home Show  Monday 3/8/10 & Tuesday 3/9/10 ~ 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday 3/11/10 ~ 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday 3/12/10 ~ 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Saturday 3/13/10 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Jeff's Certifications Once you've seen Interstate Design Landscaping at work and gaze upon one of their finished masterpiece's you realize it takes a whole lot more than a piece of paper to complete a job.  The certificates below are rarely asked for and in some cases not even required however Jeff has taken the time to know his product as well as the product requirements.  Many of us walk by a freshly laid concrete sidewalk itching with temptation to stick our hand print or two little initials in to that smooth finish to live on forever in that path.  What few of us realize is the true art that cement laying requires.  Taking raw cement,sand, gravel and water from a runny mess to a finished pathway or wall that will stand the time and weather of Central Pennsylvania is a true art form that requires a lot of skill and knowledge. A Brief History on Segmental Concrete Paving Segmental paving is as old as the roads of the Roman Empire. For centuries, compacted soil and an aggregate base formed a lasting foundation for tightly fitted stone units that are still with us today. Production of dimensionally consistent, hand-sized concrete units began in the early 1950's in The Netherlands to replace clay brick streets damaged from World War II. Concrete pavers also spread quickly in Germany during the 1960's. The early 1970's saw concrete pavers introduced to many other nations, notably the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.  North  American entrepreneurs, first in Canada and then in the U.S., saw the opportunity for a pavement system made of high-strength, durable concrete units that interlock and spread applied loads through shear transfer.  Unlike asphalt and cast-in-place concrete, concrete pavers eliminate cracking. Repairs to underground services could be made without wasted pavement or damage to the surrounding surface, and no ugly patches.   The North American paver industry grew from 80 million sf (8 million m2) in 1980 to over 755 million sf (75.5 million m2) in 2005. Growth has skyrocketed in other parts of the world as well. Globally, there is now at least one square foot (0.1 m2) produced for every person living on planet earth. During every second of the working day, 1,000 pavers are made throughout the world!  Started in 1993, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute chartered 66 members from North America and Europe. Today, membership exceeds 900. Company sizes range from regional and national, some family-owned, to vertically integrated, publicly held multinational corporations. Members have a diverse background including extensive experience in construction and concrete products manufacturing, while others have marketing, management, financial or engineering backgrounds. Regardless of company size, the mix of experiences energizes the organization to deliver information to users like you. Water use in Landscaping  Water is perhaps the most important single element to consider in designing your landscape. Your water source and it's location will help determine where you place the plantings in your landscape design. The natural amount of water available in your landscaping zone will also play a part in which plants you select. Abundant water may allow you to attempt growing plants that are not completely suited to your landscape environment, while a lack of water will obviously dictate your plant choices. Water conservation is a growing concern throughout the world. New usage guidelines, tips for conservation, and landscaping techniques are all aimed at reducing water use and getting the most out of the water that we do use. Let's examine some of these ideas, and techniques for responsible use of water in landscaping. You've probably heard it before, a heavy rain storm never does as much to relieve a drought as a slow and steady rain. When too much water is applied at once, it tends to run off before it has a chance to soak into the ground. The same theory applies to watering your landscape. A slow, steady sprinkler will benefit your landscape far more than a quick drenching. When you water is as important as how much you water. Early morning watering is best for your landscape. The water has a chance to soak into the landscape instead of evaporating with the full heat of the sun, but the daylight and breeze allow the plants to dry off. Watering at night will leave the landscape wet and trigger the growth of mold. Watering tips aside, sometimes it just doesn't pay to fight Mother Nature. If your landscaping climate is naturally hot and dry, then it makes sense to employ a landscape design that requires less water. Arid climates may benefit from xeriscape landscaping. This type of landscape design was originated in Texas, where water is a very precious commodity. The concept of xeriscape landscaping is to provide a quality landscape that conserves water and protects the environment. Drought resistant plants are used and grouped together to reduce the amount of water wasted on landscapes where it's not needed. Water loving ground covers like grass may be totally eliminated from the landscape design and replaced with mulch or decorative stones. The entire landscape design can be very attractive while also being highly water efficient. Becoming water-wise makes sense. It's good for you and good for your landscape.